Rule Differences
| FED | NCAA | OBR |
| Balk is immediate dead ball | Balk is delayed dead ball | Balk is delayed dead ball |
| Offensive conferences: 1 per inning; do not accumulate | Offensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 every three extra innings; carry over | Offensive conferences: No limit |
| Defensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 for each extra innings; do not accumulate | Defensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 for extra innings(1/game); carry over; on 2nd in inning, remove pitcher | Defensive conferences: Must remove pitcher (from game) on second visit in inning |
| Pitcher cannot throw to base from wind-up | Pitcher can throw to base from wind-up | Pitcher can throw to base from wind-up |
| Collision rule: If fielder is waiting to make play, must legally attempt to avoid (get down, go around, give up) | Collision rule: If avoidable (could reach base without collision) OR attempt to dislodge ball, runner is out. Also, eject if flagrant | (No collision rule) |
| If fielder not in possession of thrown ball or waiting to make an imminent play, obstruction | If fielder not in possession of thrown ball, obstruction (new this year) | If fielder not in possession of thrown ball or waiting to make an imminent play, obstruction |
| Play does not cancel right to appeal | Play initiated by defense does not cancel right to appeal | Play cancels right to appeal |
| Need not pitch on intentional walk | Must pitch on intentional walk | Must pitch on intentional walk |
| All starters, including DH, can re-enter | No reentry | No reentry |
| DH for any player | P/DH; 9-10-9;10-9-10; must have two new defensive players to specify batting order | DH for pitcher only |
| BOOT: Outs on play stand; other runners return | BOOT: All runners return; outs do not stand | BOOT: All runners return; outs do not stand |
| (No rule after HR) | After HR, bench players must remain of dirt circle; warn, then eject | (No HR rule) |
| Cannot throw from DBT (both feet); unintentional catch-and-carry is one-base award | Can throw from DBT, if ground rules allow; otherwise return to LBR first. If go over fence, award one base | Can throw from DBT, if ground rules allow; otherwise return to LBR first. If go over fence, award one base |
| DBT lines are in play; can make catch while touching LBT with any part of body | DBT lines are in play; must make catch before touching DBT with any part of body | DBT lines are out of play; must make catch before touching DBT with any part of body (except dugout) |
| Need not appeal check swing if asked (but it’s good practice to appeal) | Must appeal check swing if asked | Must appeal check swing if asked |
| Batter must stay in box, except … if leaves box and delays game, charge strike | Batter must stay in box, except … if leaves box, must stay on dirt if ball is live | (No batter’s box rule) |
| Pitch touched with displaced equipment: two bases | Pitch touched with displaced equipment: one base | Pitch touched with displaced equipment: one base |
| FPSR | FPSR | (No FPSR) |
| Runner hit with batted ball out if ball has not passed fielders (“string” theory) – (but, see 2001 interps #13) | Runner hit with batted ball out if any infielder has chance to field ball | Runner hit with batted ball out unless ball has passed immediately by a fielder and no other fielder has play |
| (No rule on multiple appeals) | Must announce multiple appeals in advance | Need not announce multiple appeals in advance |
| Malicious contact supercedes obstruction | Malicious contact does not supercede obstruction; penalize both | (No malicious contact rule) |
| Third-first pick-off: Need not disengage before throw to first (must disengage before feint to first) | Third-first pick-off: Must disengage before throw to first; penalty: balk | Third-first pick-off: Must disengage before throw to first; penalty: balk |
| Pitcher can go to mouth on dirt (not rubber) if wipes off fingers; Penalty: dead ball, eject if continues | Pitcher can go to mouth on dirt (not rubber) if wipes off fingers; Penalty: Ball | Pitcher cannot go to mouth on dirt; Penalty: ball |
| Pitcher can wear batting glove, if judged to be non-distracting by umpire | Pitcher cannot wear batting glove | Pitcher cannot wear batting glove |
| Hidden ball trick – pitcher must not be within 5 feet of rubber | Hidden ball trick – pitcher must be off dirt area | Hidden ball trick – pitcher must not be “on or astride rubber” |
| Courtesy runner allowed for F1, F2 – not same person for each; not previously in game; cannot then enter on offense in that half-inning | No courtesy runner | No courtesy runner |
| Coach can make verbal appeal with “relaxed action;” player can make verbal appeal when ball is dead | No verbal appeals | No verbal appeals |
See the printable document.